Harmonica



22, 1933- w. R. STEELE 2,137,251

HARMONICA Filed March 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l I-vr=-raz Wnurez 2. STEELE EN may: rival Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application Match 15,

8 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in harmonicas and the main object is to provide an instrument of this kind which will play in all major keys and may be modulated from one key 5 to another while being played, in all cases maintaining the same breathing sequence and the same characteristic chords due to the use of a sliding mouthpiece having a number of holes each of which may be selectively registered with 1. a plurality of differently tuned reeds as required.

Another object is to provide an instrument of this kind including a slidable key changer or valve by which the key may be changed from major to its relative minor key at will and in- 15 eluding a means for locking in either position where there is a sustained run in either key.

Another object is to provide an instrument of this kind having a slidable mouthpiece by which either sharps or flats may be played as required and without changing the breathing sequence.

Another object is to provide an instrument of the foregoing advantages which is simple and compact in construction and convenient in operation while being played.

36 with these and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings as showing a preferred em- 80 bodiment of my invention for purposes of exemplification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view looking toward the frontal edge of my instrument.

Figure 2 is a plan view, a portion of one of the bell casings being broken away.

Figure 3 is a perspective view looking toward the rear edge, the uppermost casing being removed entirely.

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the mouthpiece alone.

Figure 5 is a frontal elevation of the slotted front plate alone.

5 Figure 6 is a frontal edge view of one of the sticks showing the reeds thereon.

Figure 7 is a. rear edge view of the mouthpiece showing the key changing valve in place thereon.

Figure 8 is a similar view but with the valve removed.

Figure 9 is an elevation of the key changing valve alone.

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross section along the line ilil in Figure 2.

65 Figure 11 is a plan view of a chord, coupler 1937, Serlal No. 130,835

which may be slidably mounted on the mouthpiece.

Figure 12 is an enlarged cross sectional detail view of the spring centering device for the mouthpiece lock bar.

In carrying out my invention I provide a reed plate assembly of a frame I made up of a pair of sticks 2 and 3 of elongated rectangular shape mounted in V-shape with their frontal edges meeting and diverging toward their rear edges, the ends being enclosed by the end blocks 4 set between the sticks. An elongated front plate is attached to and covers the frontal edges of the sticks 2 and 3 and at spaced points each side of their centers the rear edges are connected by strips 6 and I pinned to the sticks as at 8. All these parts forma rigid frame assembly and leave the four rectangular upper and lower faces of the sticks exposed as shown. A reed plate is mounted on each of these exposed faces, the plates 9 and 90. on the upper stick 2 having reeds 8b arranged to play by drawing the breath and the plates l0 and Mo on the lower stick 3 having reeds lob which are played by blowing the breath. Each reed plate carries 26 reeds in the instrument shown though this of course may be varied according to the playing range desired. The reeds on the upper pair of reed plates and stick are tuned exactly the same as those in the lower pair of reed plates and stick, the only difference being in the breathing required and the reeds on the lower sides of both sticks are spaced to fall between the reeds on the upper sides so that two parallel rows of reeds are provided each with a separation of a half tone between any two adjacent reeds.

The sticks 2 and 3 each have grooves in their frontal edge portions which align with the reeds on the reed plates, these grooves opening alternately on opposite sides of the sticks as shown in Figures 6 and 10. In other words alternate grooves, as the ones indicated at H (on both sticks 2 and 3) open upwardly in registry with the reeds on the upper plates 9 and I0 while the intervening grooves Ila open downwardly to the reeds on the lower plates 9a and Illa. The grooves all open as well at the frontal edges of the sticks and taper in vertical width toward their rear extremities so as to leave narrow tapering tongues II which act as bailies to separate the grooves from all reeds but those lying over their open sides and to strengthen the structure. The front plate 5 has parallel rows of slots l3 and "a which are aligned with and open into the open frontal ends of the grooves H and Ila in the upper and lower sticks respectively. Thus by blowing the breath into any of the lower row of slots |2a the reeds on the lower reed plates l2 and |2a will be played while by drawing the breath through the upper row of slots |2a the reeds on the upper plates 2 and will be played In each case the reeds played constitute and include the chromatic scale.

Inasmuch as all major scales are symmetrically the same in formation I provide a sliding mouthpiece shown generally at i4. This monthpiece is of elongated bar-like shape tapering toward its frontal edge II. A mounting strip or frame i2 is secured by screws H to the rear face I! of the mouthpiece and the upper and lower margins of this strip are undercut so as to provide channels i2 running lengthwise. The frontal edges of the uppermost and lowermost reed plates 2 and |2a are tinned upwardly and downwardly respectively so as to provide guide ribs 22 over which the margins of the front plate 5 are turned to hold the front plate in place and the undercut channels I! will then slidably ride these margins as shown when the mouthpiece is mounted on the harmonica. Thus the mouthpiece may be moved endwise along the frontal edge of the instrument as desired and required in the playing of the instrument.

Fbrmed in the frontal edge of the mouthpiece are ten square holes 2| which are spaced apart and isolated by intervening walls 22 and which open out at their frontal ends. The holes are also separated from the rear face l2 of the mouthpiece by the walls 22. Each hole 2| however has a pair of ports 24 and 24a which pierce the walls 22 and open out the rear face of the mouthpiece, one port 24 of each hole registering with the row of draw slots l2 in the front plate 5 and the others 24a registering with the row of "blow" slots Ila. Thus by sliding the mouthpiece l4 over the front plate I and blowing or drawing breath through the holes 2| any desired sequence of the reeds 2b and I2!) may be played in major scales in various keys as desired.

In order to hold the mouthpiece l4 in any adiusted position I provide the assembly now to be described. A band 22 of U-shape is secured by pins or screws 22 at its ends to the upper and lower edges of the mouthpiece mounting strip l2 and extends around the rear edge instrument frame I as shown. A guide rod 21 is secured at its ends to the connecting strips 2 and 1 and extends therebetween parallel with the sticks 2 and 2 inside the rear edges thereof. A spring guide 22 is attached at 22 to the inner face 01 the bight 22 of the band 22 and slidably rides this rod 21 pressing resiliently thereagainst so as to exert a sumcient pull on the mouthpiece l4 at all times to overcome any tendency to looseness thereof. The upper stick 2 has a lock bar with grooves 2| extended along its rear edge out at each end past and beneath the upper ends of the strips 2 and 1. A lock bar 22 is slidably mounted in this groove 2| and has a. plurality of apertures 22 spaced along its length, the distance between their apertures corresponding to the distance between the slots l2, |2a in the front Plate 2.

A look dog or catch a is attached at as to the bight 22 of the band 25 and has a nwe portion 26 which extends through an opening 21 in said bight and may be entered into any of the apertures 22 thus locating and locking the mouthpiece at any of several positions along the front of the instrument as will be understood.

'i'heshank22ofthedog24lsthinandresilient andistensionedtononnallyswingthenosefl forwardly into one of the apertures 22 but by pressingbackontheupstanding ear22thedog maybereadilyreleased while themouthpieceis moved.

Alockbarcenteringspringflislocatedina recess 4| formed in the rear edge of the stick 2 beneath the strip 2, this recess opening out into thegroovefl. Thespringuhasatorsionalcoil 42 through whlch a pin 42 poses and has the normally divergent rearwardly extended legs 44. The lock bar 22 and the upper end of the strip 2 have aligned spaced slots 42 through which these spring legs 44 pass and against the outermost edges of which the legs bear. The spring 42 thus normally holds the lock bar 22 in a centered position but allows it to move either way a distance equal to one space between the apertures 22 the legs 44 butting against the inner edges of the slots 42 limiting this movement. Thus the mouthpiece may be moved one notes width in either direction without releasing the dog 24 so that sharps or flats may be played for any position of the mouthpiece selected by the mouthpiece locking assembly.

For changing from a major key to a minor key I provide a key changing assembly now to be described. The rear face l2 of the mouthpiece I4 is recessed out along the center between the rows of ports 24 and 24 as shown at 42 and has also laterally extended recesses 41 extending out adjacent certain of these ports. The center recess 42 opens out the right hand end also of the mouthpiece. A key changer or slide valve 42 is provided, the same being punched from sheet metal of such thickness that it will fit into the recesses 42 and 41 and will clear the adjacent mounting strip l2. The valve 42 comprises a stem or shaft 42 to slidably fit the center re cess 42 and spaced laterally extending valve wingsorearsllwhichplayintherecessesfl. The end of the stem 42 will extend from the mouthpiece through the open end of the recess 42 and it has a thumb piece 2| turned forwardly.

Extra ports 24b are provided in the lower row of ports 24a in the mouthpiece 4 adjacent to the third, sixth and ninth ports counting from the left and opening into the same holes 2| as do these ports. The lower recesses 41 then connect these adjacent ports 24a and 24b and in the normal or "C major position of the valve 42 the lower wings 22 close thae extra ports 24b. Howeverbypushingthevalve 42 inward ortothe left as far as it will go the ports 24b are opened and the adjacent and connected ports 24s are closed. Thus the notes or reeds tuned to G which would be Played. by blowing through theseportsflaarecoveredbythevalveand insteadtheportsubareopenedleadingtothe notesorreedstunedtoA"thmchangingtoA minor tonic chord. Likewise extra ports 240 are providedintheupperrowofports 24 adjacent to the second, sixth and tenth original ports counting from the left and opening into the same holes 2|. The uppermost recesses 41 extend properly adjacent these connected ports 24 and 24candthewingsl2 lyingintheserecessesnormally close the extra ports. However as the valve is pushed in the ports 24 which ordinarily would play the "A" notes or reeds when drawingthebreathwillbeclosedandtheports 24c leadingtotheGsharpnotesorreedswillbe opened to complete proper tonic minor scale.

This operation of the valve it is readily carried out while playing the instrument as will be understood.

A spring recess '2 is formed laterally from the recess 4' adjacent the open end thereof and a torsional coil spring 53 is held by a pin El therein, one leg of the spring being braced against the side of the recess and the other engaging a notch II in the valve stem I! and serving to normally urge the valve to the right or outwardly to major position. Where there is a sustained run in a minor key the valve may be locked in minor position by a lock plunger 56 which is slidably mounted down through a bore 51 in the mouthpiece adjacent its right hand end and at right angles to the line of movement of the valve. A recess it is formed around this plunger and a torsional coil spring 59 is held by a pin I therein with one leg braced in the recess and the other engaging a stop ii on the plunger so as to normally urge the plunger outwardly. A notch 62 is provided in the upper edge of the valve stem ll in such position that as the valve is pushed inward to minor" position the plunger 56 may be pushed at its lower end into the notch. The relative strengths of the springs 53 and El is such then that the outward pressure .of the spring 53 will lock'the notch and plunger and hold the plunger in inthrust position until the valve is pushed inward slightly and the plunger is released after which the valve will return to normal position.

Elongated rectangular bells or bell casings G3 are secured at 64 to the upper and lower sides of the frame I on the sticks 2 and I, the easings standing out from the sticks so as to substantially clear the reed plates. The rear edges 6! oi! these casings are perforated to allow the sound to escape. A scale strip 66 is secured to the upper casing 63 passing over the band 25 which carries a pointer 61 to indicate by suitable graduations on the strip 66 the key to which the mouthpiece I4 is adjusted.

Inasmuch as the length oi four of the openings 2| (which is the number the mouth usually covers in playing a harmonica) is necessarily greater than usual a chord coupler 68 may be used, this being of shape similar to the mouthpiece ll though much shorter and has a recess 89 along its rear edge with inwardly turned guide margins III. The mouthpiece ll has ribs ll along its upper and lower sides and the coupler may thus he slipped endwise over the mouthpiece with the guides ll over the ribs II and the coupler may be moved along the mouthpiece freely. The coupler has three openings 12, one

of which is undercut as at 13 so that by blowing' into these three openings the air will enter tour of the openings II in the mouthpiece.

It is thought that further details as to the operation and use of the instrument will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description herein. There are of course numerous.mlnor changes in construction which might be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

While I have herein set forth a certain preferred embodiment of my invention it is understood that I may vary irom the same in minor structural details so as best to provide a practical device for the purposes intended, not departing from the spirit 0! the invention and within the lcopcoltheappendedclaimc.

I claim:

1. In a device of the kind described, a reed plate assembly having a plurality of reeds, a mouthpiece slidably mounted on the assembly and having openings to conduct air to the reeds selectively in any sequence, a band attached to the mouthpiece and slidably encircling the reed plate assembly, a lock bar, and a dog carried by the band and adapted for locking engagement with the lock bar.

2. In a device of the kind described, a reed plate assembly having a plurality of reeds, a mouthpiece slidably mounted on the assembly and having openings to conduct air to the reeds selectively in any sequence, a band attached to the mouthpiece and slidably encircling the reed plate assembly, a lock bar, and a dog carried by the band and adapted for locking engagement with the lock bar, and said lock bar being slidably mounted and being spring set against movement in either direction.

3. In a device of the kind described, a reed plate assembly having a plurality of reeds, a mouthpiece slidably mounted on the assembly and having openings to conduct air to the reeds selectively in any sequence, a band attached to the mouthpiece and slidably encircling the reed plate assembly, a lock bar, and a dog carried by the band and adapted for locking engagement with the lock bar, the said lock bar being slidably mounted and being spring set against movement in either direction, a graduated scale strip secured to the reed plate assembly parallel to the li ne of movement or the mouthpiece, and a pointer carried by the band and playing over the strip.

4. In a device of the kind described, a reed plate assembly including pairs of plates each having reeds tuned to the same chromatic scales, the reeds on one pair of plates being played by blowing and on the other pair by drawing, a

mouthpiece slidably mounted over the reed plate assembly and having a plurality of openings communicating with the reeds on both the pairs of reed plates, a chord coupler slidably mounted on the mouthpiece, the said coupler being shorter than the mouthpiece and having openings for communicating with the said openings therein, and one of the said openings in the coupler being capable of spanning two of the openings in the mouthpiece.

5. In a device of the characterdescribed, a reed plate assembly including a pair of sticks and each carrying a pair 01 reed plates, the reeds on one stick being played by drawing the breath and the reeds on the other stick being played by blowing the breath, a mouthpiece slidably mounted on the sticks, the said mouthpiece having a plurality of openings separated from the sticks by a rear wall, and this wall having a pair of ports leading from each opening to the reed plates on each stick.

6. In combination with a harmonica including a mouthpiece having spaced openings, a chord coupler adapted for slidable mounting on the mouthpiece, the said chord coupler having a plurality of openings adapted to register with a sequence of openings in the mouthpiece, and one of the openings in the coupler being undercut whereby it will span more than one of the open-' ings in the mouthpiece.

WALTER R. STEELE. 

